Metallic venetian blind



, Jzq/ 7 Ap i 21, 1931.. w. E. DUNCANSON 1,801,912

METALLIC VE NETIAN BLIND v Filed May 4, 1928 v ESheets-Sheet 1 1931. w DUNCANSQN METALLIC VENETIAN BLIND Filed May 4, 1928 5 sheets-sheet 2 W ll A I, INVENTOR I A NEYS April 21, 1931. w DUNCANSON 1,801,912

METALLIC VENETIAN BLIND Filed May 4., 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 \INVENTOR April 21, 1931. w. E. DUNCANSON 1,801,912

' METALLIC VENETIAN BLIND FiELed May 4. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR W175? f fiuA/m/vmm April 21, 1931. w. z-: DUNCANSON METALLIC VENETIAN BLIND F'ild May 4, 1928 5 Shets-Sheet 5 iNVENTOR Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER E. DUNCAN SON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGIN'OR TO THE 3'. G. WILSON CORPORA TION', OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA METALLIC VENETIAN BLIND Application filed May 4, 1928. Serial No. 275,002.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds. The ordinary Venetian blind construction comprises a series of thin slats made of wood able supportingrbar arranged at the top of the window frame. On account ofthe materials from which the ordinary Venetian blind is constructed, such blinds constitute a serious fire hazard during the progress of a fire in a building adjacent the windows to which such blinds are applied.

Blinds of the Venetian type are sometimes mounted upon the outside of windows and when mounted in this position, the fire hazard is particularly great. Outside Venetian' blinds are often arranged to serve as awnings when the blinds are lowered, the lower portions of the blinds then being positioned at some distance from the window so that the blinds are supported in an inclined position. Cigars and cigarettes dropped from upper windows frequently lodge on outside awning blinds and are liable to start a seriousfire.

Ordinary Venetian blinds having wooden slats'are seriously affected'by exposure to v the weather and such blinds deteriorate rap idly, particularly in the summer when the windows are open. The wooden slats are liable to be .caused to warp out of normal shape by the action of the sun and moisture thereon and the woven ladder tapes are caused to rot by these agencies. Outside Venetian blinds are especially exposed to the weather.

The principal objects of the present invention are to improve the construction and mode of operation of Venetian blinds and to produce a Venetian blind which is highly fire-resistant so that it will form a protection against the spreading of a fire rather than a fire hazard.

Another object of the invention is to produce a blind of the Venetian type which is not subject to rapid deterioration on expasure to severe weather conditions.

With the above objects in view, the invention comprises a Venetian blind, the principal parts of which are constructed of metal. An important feature of the invention consists in the provision in a Venetian blind, of highly resilient metallic slats formed of thin gauge metal and 'sufliciently rigid to prevent sag. The resilience of the slats prevents them from becoming permanently bent when distorted out of proper shape, and the forming of the slats of thin gauge metal enables them to be brought together so as to occupy a relatively small space when the blind is raised. I

The invention also comprises various other novel and improved features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the advantages of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in'the art.

The invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings illustrat Fig. 1 is a-view in front elevation of a Venetian blind embodying the invention, showing the blind in lowered position substantially parallel with thewindow;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation showing the blind in raised position;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the blind, showing the blind in lowered position, substantially parallel with the window;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the blind in an inclined position with the lower portion thereof spaced from the win- 'dow so that the blind will act as an awning;

1 Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of a blind showing same in the position which it as- .sumes when substantially parallel with the Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing the supporting bar of the blind;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1, and illustrating particularly the supporting bar, tilting bar and associated parts;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, taken substantially on the line 1010 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of one of the slats of the blind;

Fig. 12 is a detailview in side elevation illustrating the lower portion of the blind when in a position substantially parallel with the window;

Fig. 13 is a view in front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view in side elevation illustrating the lower portion of the blind when said lower portion is spaced from the window, as shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a detail view in side elevation illustrating the position of certain of the parts when the blind is raised;

Fig. 16 is a detail view in side elevation illustrating the positions of the slats and the linkage connecting the same when the blind is raised;

Fig. 17 is a plan view illustrating a modified construction for connecting the slats to the linkage;

Fig. 18 is an underside plan View of the construction shown in Fig. 17; and

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the blind comprises a series of thin slats indicated at 2, connected together in parallel relation and arranged to be supported at the top portion of a window frame. These slats are preferably made of sheet metal which is not subject to corrosion, and in actual practice, sheet aluminum has been found to give satisfactory results. The aluminum of which the slats are made is preferably formed from a special formula producing a composition which will give the slats a high degree of resiliency. It is important that the slats shall be highly resilient in order that the resiliency of the metal may cause the slats to return to their normally straight condition after they have been bent, either in the normal operation of the blind in actual service or through the occurrence of an accident. The slats are preferably made of thin gauge metal so as to reduce to a minimum the space occupied by the group or bundle of slats when the slats are brought close together upon raising the blind.

The slats may be constructed of narrow strips of sheet aluminum, formed into such shape at certain points as to reinforce the same. Fig. 11 illustrates the cross-section of one of the slats as preferably constructed. As shown in this figure, the marginal portions of the strip are bent over so as to overlap the body of the strip, as indicated at 4, and the strip is provided with longitudinal ridges indicated at 6, this construction increasing considerably the longitudinal rigidity of the slats. The reinforcing of the slats in the manner above described enables light gauge metal to be employed without danger of the slats sagging out of a straight condition when in use.

The slats are connected with each other and are suspended from a suitable supporting bar preferably by means of a series of sheet metal links 10 pivotally connected together so as to fold relatively into adjacent positions. These links are preferably made of noncorrosive metal so that they are not aifected by the weather. Each of the links is pivotally connected to the adjacent link by means of projections 12 on one link passing through slots 14 in the second link and bent about the portions of the latter link between the slots and the adjacent edge of said link. In order to limit the pivotal movement of the adjacent links in one direction, each of the links is provided with a lug or projection 16 overlapping the adjacent link so as to engage the same when the two links are relatively straightened.

The chains of metallic links or tapes are suspended from a tilting bar 18 by means i of sheet metal plates 20 having slots 22 to receive the projections 12 on the adjacent link 10, these plates being bent over the tilting bar and secured thereto by screws 24:.

In the construction shown in the drawing the blind is provided with four chains of links or metal tapes, two chains or tapes being secured on each side of the tilting bar and depending therefrom. The number of tapes may be varied to suit the requirements for different sizes of blinds.

The slats 2 are supported in parallel positions between the metallic tapes which are attached on opposite sides of the tilting bar. The mechanism for supporting the slats from the tapes in the preferred construction comprises a series of cross plates 26 connecting each tape depending from the forward side of the tilting bar with the corresponding tape depending from the rear side thereof. The cross plates 26 are also preferably formed of sheet metal and may be made of the same material as the links 10 so that they are not subject to corrosion. The ends of each of these cross plates are connected with the forward and rear metals lic tapes by means of links 28, each pivotally connected with the end of the cross plate and with one of the links 10 respectively. These links 28 may be conveniently constructed of wire.

As shown in the drawings, each link 28 is pivotally connected with the end of a cross plate 26 by means of a projection 30 on the cross plate bent about the adjacent portion of the link. The stop projections 16 on the alternate links lO'are made ,of suflicient length to be bent about one of the links 28 to connect the. link with the tape. The slats 2 may be supported by the cross plates 26 by merely resting upon the cross plates. Preferably, however, the cross plates are provided with projections 32 which are bent over the margins of the slats so as to attach the slats securely to the cross plates.

I With the above metallic tape construction, when the blind is raised, the links of the tape will pivot relatively in opposite directions and fold together into substantially the position shown in Fig. 16. When the blind is lowered, the links will occupy substantially the relative positions shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13.

The tilting bar 18 is pivotally suspended from a supporting bar 34 mounted upon suitable brackets 36 upon the upper portion of a window frame. Attached to the supporting bar are supporting brackets 38 having openings forming bearings inwhich engage pins 40 projecting from opposite ends of the tilting bar to pivotally support the tilting bar. As shown in the drawing, the blind is mounted on the outside of the frame of the window by securing the supporting bar 34 to the upper portion of the frame on the outside thereof.

The tilting bar is tilted with relation to porting bar and at the other end to the tilting bar. This spring acts when the tilting .bar is free to tilt, to tilt said bar and the slats of the blind substantially into the position shown in Fig. 5. The tilting bar and slats are tilted'in'the opposite direction by manipulating the tilting cord 42 and securing the same to a fastening device mounted on the window frame.

The blind is raised and lowered by means of cords 52 and 54 attached to the lower portion of the blind and extending upwardly therefrom through suitable openings or slots 56 formed in the slats and in the cross plates 26 and also through suitable slots 58 in the'tilting bar. The cords 52 and 54 pass respectively over pulleys 60 and 62 mounted in a longitudinal slot 63- in the supporting bar and said cords then extend longitudinally of the bar within thisslot to a pulley 64 mounted therein. The cords then both pass about the pulley 64, then outwardly through a transverse slot 65 in the bar, then overa pulley 66 and downwardly through a slot in a plate 68 attached to the bar. Below this plate, the two cords are knotted together and one of the cords is terminated, the other extending downwardly from the plate, to be grasped by the operator.

The present blind is arranged so that it may be lowered into a position substantially parallel with the window and it is also arranged so that it may be lowered into an inclined position with the lower portion thereof spaced from the window. In order to enable these results to be secured, the lower portion of the blind is connected with a pair of swinging arms 70, each pivoted upon pins 72 carried by blocks 74, the arms being referably connected by a crossbar 76 pivota ly attached to the lower portion of the blind. As shown in the drawing, the swinging arms and the crossbar 76 are formed as integral portions of a rod bent into U-shape. The lower portion of the blind is connected with the crossbar 76 by means of pairs of blocks 78 and 80, each pair of blocks being pivoted on a crossbar and attached to the metallic tapes as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. Each of the blocks is provided with a half bearing for the crossbar and the blocks are secured together by means of screws 82. The block 80 is pivotally connected to the lowermost link of the forward metallic tape by means of a sheet metal plate 84 secured to the block and provided with projections 86 engaging in the slots 12 in the lowermost link. The block 80 is connected with the lowermost link of the rear metallic tape by means of a sheet metal plate 88 secured to the block and provided with projections 90 engaging in the slot 12 in the lowermost link to pivotally connect said plate to the link. The plates 84 and 88 are so constructed that the blocks 78 and 80 are maintained in an inclined position, as shown in Figs. 3, 12, 13 and 14 even when the slats are located in horizontapositions. The cords 52 and 54 are secured to the blocks 78, as shown in Fig. 12. The blocks 74 are mounted to slide vertically on suitable supporting rods 92, attached to the window frame and spaced therefrom so as to permit the movement of the blocks on the rod. The lower end of each of the rods 92 is seated in a'bracket 94 attached to the window frame, which bracket limits the downward movement of the corresponding slide block v74. The upper portion of each of the rods 92 passes "through an opening in a plate 96 secured to crossbar 7 6 and are arranged to engage pins 100 mounted in each of the blocks 78. The pins 100 are located upon the blocks 7 8 so that when the blind is raised, the cotter pins 98 will engage the pins 100 and limit the relative pivotal movement of the blocks 78 and 80 and the crossbar 76. Because of this action when the blind is raised from the position shown in Fig. 4. to the position shown in Fig. 6, the lower portion of the blind will be caused to assume the position shown in the latter figure. As will be noted from an inspection of this figure, the lower slats and the connecting ladder tapes are interposed between the blocks 78 and the, window, thereby preventing the swinging arms from swinging toward the window far enough to bring the crossbar 7 6 into position over the pivot pin 72. Upon further raising move ment of the blind, the parts assume the positions shown. in Fig. 7 in which the blind is shown fully raised. Fig. 2 also shows the blind in fully raised position.

' When the blind is lowered from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the slide blocks 74 will slide downwardly upon the rods 92 until said blocks engage the brackets 94, as shown in Fig. 6, thereby limiting the downward movement of the blocks. Then during the further lowering movement of the blind, the lower portion of the blind will swing outwardly because of the position of the arms until the blind assumes substantially the position shown in Fig. 4. With the blind in this position, it will act effectively as an awning. When in either the position shown in Fig. 4:, or in a position parallel with the window, as shown in Fig. 3, the slats of the blind may be tilted into substantially any inclined position desired. When the blind is in position to act as an awning, the slats are preferably maintained in the inclined position shown in Fig. 4- by the spring 48, the tilting cord 42 then being released. In this position, the slats will keep out the rain and sun and will at the same time admit a great deal of light.

Another advantage of maintaining the slats in substantially the position shown in Fig. 4, is that any object which is dropped from a. higher window upon the awning, will be deflected outwardly from the same rather than inwardly through the window.

If, when the blind has been lowered to substantially the position shown in Fig. 4, it

is desired to place the same in a position parallel with the window, the operator grasps either one or both of the swinging arms 70 and lifts the same, thereby carrying the slide blocks upwardly on the rods 92 and allowing the lower portion of the blind to swing inwardly.

Oneor more spring clips 102 arranged to embrace the crossbar 7 6 may be provided to ily attached to the. slats 2 to connect the 7 same with the links 28. As shown in these figures, each of the connecting plates 10 1 is provided with a body bent to engage the underside of a slat and with projections 106 arranged to engage the upper face of the slat at its margin. The body of the plate 10a is formed with abent portion 108 arranged to extend upwardly through one of the slots 56 in the slat in the bent portion is arranged to extend slightly about the edge of the slat surrounding the slot so that said bent portion overhangs said margin to a slight degree when in position. To assist in holding the plate in position, the slat may be formed with a circular projection 110 arranged to engage in a correspondingly shaped opening in the plate. The plate 10d is provided with a projection 112 which is arranged to be bent about one of the links 28. The construction shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 has the advantage that it is very readily assembled. The plate 104; may be attached in position with relation to the slat by positioning the plate so that the body of the plate underlies the slat and'with the projections 106 overlying the margin of the slat and then forcing the bent portion 108 over the edge of the slat into the slot 56. The plate 104; may be detached from the slat if desired by reversing the operation.

' As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the slat 2 is provided withan opening 56 for the assage of the lifting cord. As shown in ig 18, the metal of the slat at the margins of the opening is bent over upon the body of the slat as indicated at 116 so as to provide the slat with a margin about the opening which will not cut or fray the cord.

The construction of the slats of the blind so'that theyare flexible and highly resilient is an important feature of applicants construction. Because of this construction the slats of the blind will not become permanently bent when deflected out of their normal straight line condition. Blinds of this character are often subjected to the destructive force of high winds and the slats of the present blind will bend to the force of the wind and will not become permanently distorted but will return to their normal straight line condition after the force of the wind is spent. The slats of a blind of this kind are often struck by heavy objects dropped from a window above the same. Such a force would be liable to break the slats of a wooden blind and to bend permanently out of shape the slats of the usual of the invention, and having specifically de-' metal blind. With the present construction, however, the slats will bend under the force of the blow but will not be injured or permanently distorted since their resiliency will return them to their normal alignment or straight condition after the blow has passed.

The present blind construction is an effi cient protection against fire. Serious fires have often been caused by the dropping of a cigarette or cigar from an upper window onto an awning located below said window. The present blind not only will not burn when a burning object lodges upon the same but will serve as a fireproof screen to prevent the deflection of such objects through the window at which the blind is placed and the passage of sparks from an adjacent fire through the open window.

It is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts of the illustrated emnection between said arms and the lower portion of the blind, and stops for limiting the relative pivotal movement to prevent the lower portion of the blind from being swung into a position vertically above the pivots of said arms when the blind is raised. 5. A Venetian blind construction comprising in combination a series of slats, means for supporting the slats in substantially parallel relations, swinging arms connected with the lower portion of the blind, the axis of said arms being located substantially vertically below the point of support of the upper part of the blind, and means for causing the lower part of the blind to swing outwardly when the blind is lowered.

Signed at New York, N. Y. this 25 day of February, 1928.

' WALTER E. DUNCANSON.

bodiment of the invention, but that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Having explained the nature and object scribed a construction embodying the invention in its preferred form, what is claimed is:

1. A Venetian blind comprising in combination a series of metallic slats, metallic supports for the slats comprising metallic links secured to the edges of said slats for supporting and controlling the same in substantially parallel relations, and means for automatically tilting the slats when the blind is lowered.

2. A Venetian blind comprising in combination a series of slats, devices for supporting said slats in substantially parallel relation, swinging arms connected with the lower portion of the blind, a cross bar connecting the arms and means'carri'ed by the =-cross bar to cause the lower portion to swing outwardly away from the window upon being lowered.

3. A Venetian blind comprising in combination a series of slats, means for supporting said slats in substantially parallel relation, swinging arms connected with the lower portion of the blind to cause the lower portion to swing outwardly away from the window upon being lowered, and co-operating devices carried respectively on said arms and the blind for preventing the lower portion of the blind from being swung into a position vertically above the pivots of said arms when the blind-is raised.

4. A Venetian blind comprising in combination a series of slats, means for supporting said slats in substantially parallel relation, swinging arms connected with the lower portion of the blind to cause the lower portion to swing outwardly away from the 

